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In Wild Lemon Groves
A telltale knock on a quiet winter night is a sound no husband wants to hear.
Sébastien Osaki has spent the past three years surviving the loss of his beloved Henry. When Seb lands in Amalfi, Italy, for their would-have-been tenth-anniversary trip, he’s haunted by the memory of the man he loved. Following Henry’s notebook leads him to some breathtaking coastal views but also right back to his despair. Seb’s there to get his groove back, not let the past wrong-foot him at every turn.
Enter Andrea Sorrentino, chauffeur, part-time pet whisperer, a Bernini statue in a soccer tee and tight shorts. From the moment Andrea picks Seb up from the airport, he knows just how to soothe Seb’s case of the sulks. But Seb isn’t sure he’s ready for Mr. Right Now, let alone a potential Mr. Right, in a part of the world where all roads lead back to Henry.
Can sun, sea, and eating your weight in pasta mend a tragedy-stricken heart? Will wine-soaked Amalfi nights and long walks through lemon groves work their magic on Seb’s wounded soul? Or will he slink back into the shell of his grief once his grand Italian adventure is over?
Sébastien Osaki has spent the past three years surviving the loss of his beloved Henry. When Seb lands in Amalfi, Italy, for their would-have-been tenth-anniversary trip, he’s haunted by the memory of the man he loved. Following Henry’s notebook leads him to some breathtaking coastal views but also right back to his despair. Seb’s there to get his groove back, not let the past wrong-foot him at every turn.
Enter Andrea Sorrentino, chauffeur, part-time pet whisperer, a Bernini statue in a soccer tee and tight shorts. From the moment Andrea picks Seb up from the airport, he knows just how to soothe Seb’s case of the sulks. But Seb isn’t sure he’s ready for Mr. Right Now, let alone a potential Mr. Right, in a part of the world where all roads lead back to Henry.
Can sun, sea, and eating your weight in pasta mend a tragedy-stricken heart? Will wine-soaked Amalfi nights and long walks through lemon groves work their magic on Seb’s wounded soul? Or will he slink back into the shell of his grief once his grand Italian adventure is over?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2018
5 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Selina Kray
10 books50 followersSelina Kray is the nom de plume of an author and English editor. Professionally, she has covered all the artsy-fartsy bases, having worked in a book store, at a cinema, in children’s television and in television distribution, up to her latest incarnation as a subtitle editor and grammar nerd (though she may have always been a grammar nerd). A self-proclaimed geek and pop culture junkie who sometimes manages to pry herself away from the review sites and gossip blogs to write fiction of her own, she is a voracious consumer of art with both a capital and a lowercase “A”.
Having long ago realized that she was the Salieri to the lit world’s Mozarts, she has embraced her love of erotica with intricate plots, complex characters, and lots of heart. Whether she has achieved this goal is for you, gentle readers, to decide. At present, she is hard at work on future novels at home in Montreal, Quebec, with her wee corgi serving as both foot-warmer and in-house critic.
Having long ago realized that she was the Salieri to the lit world’s Mozarts, she has embraced her love of erotica with intricate plots, complex characters, and lots of heart. Whether she has achieved this goal is for you, gentle readers, to decide. At present, she is hard at work on future novels at home in Montreal, Quebec, with her wee corgi serving as both foot-warmer and in-house critic.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 17, 2018
4.5
I need to start with part of the Author's note at the end of the book,
In 2015, for one of those big “0” birthdays, I gifted myself a trip to the Amalfi Coast, a place so beautiful and so romantic it almost defies description. Being a writer, I had to at least try to put my experience into words...
And she certainly did put it into words,in the most beautiful way.She's portrayed such a mesmerizing picture of the Amalfi Coast seen through Sebastien's eyes.
I admit going into this I was,a bit nervous after reading the opening line in the blurb....would it be sad,full of angst with the death of Sebastien's husband? And the answer is no.It's a story of a new chapter in Sebastien's life and his thoughts/memories of Henry were beautifully touching.
It's three years since Henry's death when he visits Amalfi on what would have been their 10th Anniversary.Armed with Henry's notes on Amalfi he embarks on his journey with no idea what the trip will begin to mean for him.
Meeting him,at the Airport,is a chauffeur....Andrea who has a penchant for wearing tight shorts....delicious!!
Andrea was like a breath of fresh air for Seb.Their romance blossomed so naturally,nothing felt forced or rushed and their chemistry was undeniable with just the right amount of sensual sex scenes.
And a massive shout out for truly memorable supporting characters.
A recommended read.
Review copy provided by the Author
I need to start with part of the Author's note at the end of the book,
In 2015, for one of those big “0” birthdays, I gifted myself a trip to the Amalfi Coast, a place so beautiful and so romantic it almost defies description. Being a writer, I had to at least try to put my experience into words...
And she certainly did put it into words,in the most beautiful way.She's portrayed such a mesmerizing picture of the Amalfi Coast seen through Sebastien's eyes.
I admit going into this I was,a bit nervous after reading the opening line in the blurb....would it be sad,full of angst with the death of Sebastien's husband? And the answer is no.It's a story of a new chapter in Sebastien's life and his thoughts/memories of Henry were beautifully touching.
It's three years since Henry's death when he visits Amalfi on what would have been their 10th Anniversary.Armed with Henry's notes on Amalfi he embarks on his journey with no idea what the trip will begin to mean for him.
Meeting him,at the Airport,is a chauffeur....Andrea who has a penchant for wearing tight shorts....delicious!!
Andrea was like a breath of fresh air for Seb.Their romance blossomed so naturally,nothing felt forced or rushed and their chemistry was undeniable with just the right amount of sensual sex scenes.
And a massive shout out for truly memorable supporting characters.
A recommended read.
Review copy provided by the Author
January 31, 2018
I've never been to Italy but I have to say, having read this book, I have such a clear picture in my mind of the Amalfi Coast and the sights, sounds and smells that - if I ever did visit - it would feel like an old friend.
This book blew me away, the language used is so descriptive and evocative and paints such a vivid picture of the setting that Amalfi is almost a character in its own right.
And, speaking of characters, of Sébastien Osaki, I fell hard for him, a widower trying to find a path through his grief and retracing the steps of his dead husband Henry (a gentle character in the background, never overtaking the narrative but simply ushering it along in a quiet fashion) who was a travel writer for a tourist guide company (okay let's name check Lonely Planet here ;) )
Enter Andrea Sorrentino, part time chauffeur, part time vet, all round good guy and perhaps just the thing to pull Seb from his grieving, alongside three of the most wonderfully portrayed secondary characters I've seen in a book for a long time - the glorious cabal of Ceri, Maya and Kath, three friends/sisters from New Orleans staying in the same villa as Seb.
These three women were awesome, I would have loved to have joined them on one of their G&T fueled poker nights around the pool, laughing like drains at the day's happenings and reminding Seb it was time to either do his Julia Roberts (Eat, Pray, Love) or get with the Angela Bassett (How Stella Got Her Groove Back) and rejoin the land of the truly living.
This books is all about finding yourself again after loss. Not necessarily by falling in love with a person, but with acceptance and understanding that you can always grieve their absence but that life can - and must - carry on.
And, if you do so happen to fall in love again, with both place and a person, well that's just the icing on the cake.
I've never read Selina Kray before, but I will absolutely do so again. She's a wordsmith of the finest order, able to craft sentences which bring a book to life before your eyes.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased (and in this case unashamedly glowing because I LOVED this book) review
PS: That cover! It's not often I pick a book because of its cover but this one just spoke to me and it's a stunning visualisation of the magic which happens inside it. So well done to the amazing artist Tiferet Design
This book blew me away, the language used is so descriptive and evocative and paints such a vivid picture of the setting that Amalfi is almost a character in its own right.
And, speaking of characters, of Sébastien Osaki, I fell hard for him, a widower trying to find a path through his grief and retracing the steps of his dead husband Henry (a gentle character in the background, never overtaking the narrative but simply ushering it along in a quiet fashion) who was a travel writer for a tourist guide company (okay let's name check Lonely Planet here ;) )
Enter Andrea Sorrentino, part time chauffeur, part time vet, all round good guy and perhaps just the thing to pull Seb from his grieving, alongside three of the most wonderfully portrayed secondary characters I've seen in a book for a long time - the glorious cabal of Ceri, Maya and Kath, three friends/sisters from New Orleans staying in the same villa as Seb.
These three women were awesome, I would have loved to have joined them on one of their G&T fueled poker nights around the pool, laughing like drains at the day's happenings and reminding Seb it was time to either do his Julia Roberts (Eat, Pray, Love) or get with the Angela Bassett (How Stella Got Her Groove Back) and rejoin the land of the truly living.
This books is all about finding yourself again after loss. Not necessarily by falling in love with a person, but with acceptance and understanding that you can always grieve their absence but that life can - and must - carry on.
And, if you do so happen to fall in love again, with both place and a person, well that's just the icing on the cake.
I've never read Selina Kray before, but I will absolutely do so again. She's a wordsmith of the finest order, able to craft sentences which bring a book to life before your eyes.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased (and in this case unashamedly glowing because I LOVED this book) review
PS: That cover! It's not often I pick a book because of its cover but this one just spoke to me and it's a stunning visualisation of the magic which happens inside it. So well done to the amazing artist Tiferet Design
February 8, 2018
It's been three years since a knock on Sébastien Wilson-Osaki's door changed his life irrevocably. His beloved husband Henry's death devastates him, but as the years pass he decides to go on a trip to Amalfi, Italy, Henry's favorite place on earth, armed with Henry's travel journal, on what would be their tenth anniversary, to spend time with Henry as best he can...and to say goodbye.
When Seb lands in Amalfi, he meets Andrea Sorrentino, a chauffeur with some secrets, and three wise women who help him past his grief, and show him the way to get his groove back.
Told in Seb's single POV, the scenes in this were set so well I could practically feel the sun kissing my skin and taste the food and granita al limone! I felt for Seb and could feel his loss of Henry, I loved Andrea and how organically their romance developed, and I absolutely loved Ceri, Kath, and Maya.
It's a lovely hurt/comfort romance with a sweet HFN.
Mostly, this makes me want my own grand Italian adventure, with a stay in Amalfi for certain, pronto!
Advanced Review Galley copy of In Wild Lemon Groves provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
When Seb lands in Amalfi, he meets Andrea Sorrentino, a chauffeur with some secrets, and three wise women who help him past his grief, and show him the way to get his groove back.
Told in Seb's single POV, the scenes in this were set so well I could practically feel the sun kissing my skin and taste the food and granita al limone! I felt for Seb and could feel his loss of Henry, I loved Andrea and how organically their romance developed, and I absolutely loved Ceri, Kath, and Maya.
It's a lovely hurt/comfort romance with a sweet HFN.
Mostly, this makes me want my own grand Italian adventure, with a stay in Amalfi for certain, pronto!
Advanced Review Galley copy of In Wild Lemon Groves provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
February 13, 2018
Selina Kray is a new to me author and happily, I made an excellent choice with this book. It’s a lovely story, the writing gorgeously descriptive and evocative. I’ve never traveled to Italy but I could truly “see” much of Amalfi, the beaches and ocean, the architecture, even the traffic! Sebastien, or Seb, arrives in Amalfi planning to follow the notes his travel-writer husband wrote for the intended anniversary trip. Although attracted to Andrea when they meet at the airport, the two don’t truly connect for a few days. First, Seb meets a trio of vacationing ladies, Kath, Ceri and Maya, whose combined life experience, earthy common sense and humor help him let go of the last of his grief. I really enjoyed their dialogue, especially between Maya and Seb, but they all added so much to the entire story.
Andrea is more complex than he initially appears, and the developing relationship with Seb is well-crafted and believable. Seb is immersed in adventure while spending time with Andrea, horses, sightseeing, playing soccer, and being thrust into the middle of an Italian family restaurant. But Seb holds a part of himself back, knowing his stay is temporary and still uncertain of his emotions. The story is all from his point of view, but conveys full, rich characterization for everyone. Andrea is complex, a man with a commitment to his family, another to his own dreams, with the two sides often at odds. He and Seb are quite sexy together too, although heated scenes are moderate and not overly explicit. Descriptive prose did feel a bit purple at times, rather than coming across as euphemism, but aside from that, I found it an easy, light, yet absorbing read, gladly recommended.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Hearts On Fire Reviews blog*
Andrea is more complex than he initially appears, and the developing relationship with Seb is well-crafted and believable. Seb is immersed in adventure while spending time with Andrea, horses, sightseeing, playing soccer, and being thrust into the middle of an Italian family restaurant. But Seb holds a part of himself back, knowing his stay is temporary and still uncertain of his emotions. The story is all from his point of view, but conveys full, rich characterization for everyone. Andrea is complex, a man with a commitment to his family, another to his own dreams, with the two sides often at odds. He and Seb are quite sexy together too, although heated scenes are moderate and not overly explicit. Descriptive prose did feel a bit purple at times, rather than coming across as euphemism, but aside from that, I found it an easy, light, yet absorbing read, gladly recommended.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Hearts On Fire Reviews blog*
February 9, 2018
I met this book when it was just a baby and even then it evoked such a strong sense of place that it madre me wish I was back in Amalfi and surroundings in summer.
I will need to come back and review after I come back home. But for right now this is romance at its best: with strong leads rooted deeply in the environment and a swoon romantic arc. Highly recommended.
I will need to come back and review after I come back home. But for right now this is romance at its best: with strong leads rooted deeply in the environment and a swoon romantic arc. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2018
Selina Kray’s In Wild Lemon Groves is several things at once: It’s the story of a man who travels halfway around the world to rediscover passion and the simple joy of living again. It’s a celebration of newfound friends and a potential new romance. And, perhaps most of all, it’s a love letter to Amalfi, Italy—the people, the food and drink, and the surrounding countryside illustrated in breathtaking detail. In fact, it’s the author’s obvious love for her setting that shines bright throughout the book and at times even eclipses her characters, as if she’s dipped a brush in a pallet of memories and then painted the landscape for her readers. While she might not have intended it to be so, this was my favorite thing about the book. The vibrant and descriptive elements of its setting made me want to pack a bag and hop a flight to Italy right this minute.
Sébastien Osaki is in a recovery and rehab phase, though not from drugs or alcohol. It’s been three years since the death of his husband, Henry, and in that time, Seb lost the one thing that had made life the joyful thing it was in the ten years he’d spent with Henry at his side. Gathering together the notebook filled with details his husband had logged as a travel writer, Seb sets off to Amalfi to follow in Henry’s footsteps, to see Italy not only through Henry’s recommendations but with Seb’s own senses, to make his own memories. Little did he expect to encounter someone with a connection to his deceased husband. It is a small world after all.
Andrea Sorrentino is Seb’s first taste of Amalfi. Fresh off the too-long flight from Montreal—stale, exhausted, and wanting nothing more than to get to his lodgings—Andrea hits Seb like a burst of pure energy. Andrea happens to be Seb’s mode of transportation to his home-away-from-home, and thus begins their story—Seb’s determination to follow Henry’s advice and connect with the locals, and Andrea’s penchant for being in the right place at the right time to facilitate, if not to be, that connection.
Part Seb getting his groove back, part his eating and, eventually, loving—without the deep navel gazing part—In Wild Lemon Groves is about not only a journey of miles but one of baby steps as well. If you’re looking for a novel with loads of action and chaos, that’s not this book. It’s a quiet story, at times introspective of Seb’s loss and the resulting grief, but is ultimately a story of building new friendships, embracing each moment for what it is, and finding the courage to move forward, whether that moving forward means going it alone or grabbing hold of what’s right in front of you for the taking. From the American women Seb meets, who draw him in and take him under their collective wing, to Andrea and his family, Kray builds a cast of characters who support Seb on his quest for a new beginning while still holding on to the love he shared and memories he’d made with Henry.
Impassioned is the word that kept popping into my head as I was reading this novel. Sentimental, stirring, romantic, passionate are each synonymous with this story, and I’m happy with where Kray elected to leave Seb and Andrea at the end. To have tied everything up with a neat bow of happily-ever-after would have been tough to buy into, so the simple hint of possibilities worked for me. And I just loved Andrea—his eloquent shrugs, his pride, his love for his gorgeous corner of the world, the surprising little reveals, and even his running away from his feelings out of fear of being hurt—they all came together to make him embraceable.
I picked up this book because I was so impressed by the author’s Stoker & Bash: The Fangs of Scavo that I wanted to see what she would do with a category romance in a contemporary setting. In Wild Lemon Groves couldn’t be more different from Stoker & Bash if it tried, and while I can’t declare that different is better in this case—I have an exceedingly soft spot for Timothy Stoker and Hieronymus Bash, after all—I can say that I’m glad I got to experience Seb and Andrea’s story, because it is an experience, and enjoyed playing armchair tourist through Kray’s visionary storytelling.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
Sébastien Osaki is in a recovery and rehab phase, though not from drugs or alcohol. It’s been three years since the death of his husband, Henry, and in that time, Seb lost the one thing that had made life the joyful thing it was in the ten years he’d spent with Henry at his side. Gathering together the notebook filled with details his husband had logged as a travel writer, Seb sets off to Amalfi to follow in Henry’s footsteps, to see Italy not only through Henry’s recommendations but with Seb’s own senses, to make his own memories. Little did he expect to encounter someone with a connection to his deceased husband. It is a small world after all.
Andrea Sorrentino is Seb’s first taste of Amalfi. Fresh off the too-long flight from Montreal—stale, exhausted, and wanting nothing more than to get to his lodgings—Andrea hits Seb like a burst of pure energy. Andrea happens to be Seb’s mode of transportation to his home-away-from-home, and thus begins their story—Seb’s determination to follow Henry’s advice and connect with the locals, and Andrea’s penchant for being in the right place at the right time to facilitate, if not to be, that connection.
Part Seb getting his groove back, part his eating and, eventually, loving—without the deep navel gazing part—In Wild Lemon Groves is about not only a journey of miles but one of baby steps as well. If you’re looking for a novel with loads of action and chaos, that’s not this book. It’s a quiet story, at times introspective of Seb’s loss and the resulting grief, but is ultimately a story of building new friendships, embracing each moment for what it is, and finding the courage to move forward, whether that moving forward means going it alone or grabbing hold of what’s right in front of you for the taking. From the American women Seb meets, who draw him in and take him under their collective wing, to Andrea and his family, Kray builds a cast of characters who support Seb on his quest for a new beginning while still holding on to the love he shared and memories he’d made with Henry.
Impassioned is the word that kept popping into my head as I was reading this novel. Sentimental, stirring, romantic, passionate are each synonymous with this story, and I’m happy with where Kray elected to leave Seb and Andrea at the end. To have tied everything up with a neat bow of happily-ever-after would have been tough to buy into, so the simple hint of possibilities worked for me. And I just loved Andrea—his eloquent shrugs, his pride, his love for his gorgeous corner of the world, the surprising little reveals, and even his running away from his feelings out of fear of being hurt—they all came together to make him embraceable.
I picked up this book because I was so impressed by the author’s Stoker & Bash: The Fangs of Scavo that I wanted to see what she would do with a category romance in a contemporary setting. In Wild Lemon Groves couldn’t be more different from Stoker & Bash if it tried, and while I can’t declare that different is better in this case—I have an exceedingly soft spot for Timothy Stoker and Hieronymus Bash, after all—I can say that I’m glad I got to experience Seb and Andrea’s story, because it is an experience, and enjoyed playing armchair tourist through Kray’s visionary storytelling.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
September 25, 2018
En el libro citan la película el Talento de Mr Ripley como referencia y me parece demasiado pretencioso, mejor deberían haber citado Bajo el Sol de la Toscana, la típica comedia de amor americana ambientada en Italia para pasar una un rato sin mucho sobresalto y con todos los tópicos sobre la cultura italiana dentro, siempre soleado,bellisimos paisajes, maravillosos monumentos, deliciosa comida, hermosos hombres, "hermosas" matronas, familias amplias y ruidosas, malos muy malotes, mucho fútbol, mucha fiesta ..... y geniales amigos nuevos que hablan inglés como si hubiesen estudiado en Oxford, si no el protagonista no tiene con quien comunicarse.
Esto es este libro, si bien la historia no es nada original lo compensan los MC que son un encanto los dos, pero todo el resto desmejora totalmente el libro de tal manera que pasa a ser una novelucha sin más, ideal para hacer otro telefilm romántico de sobremesa.
Y no comento las eternas descripciones de los lugares que visita.... restaríamos casi la mitad de la longitud si nos comiésemos unas cuantas. No le pongo menos estrellas porque me gustaron los MC y la portada, porque el resto es de dos máximo.
Esto es este libro, si bien la historia no es nada original lo compensan los MC que son un encanto los dos, pero todo el resto desmejora totalmente el libro de tal manera que pasa a ser una novelucha sin más, ideal para hacer otro telefilm romántico de sobremesa.
Y no comento las eternas descripciones de los lugares que visita.... restaríamos casi la mitad de la longitud si nos comiésemos unas cuantas. No le pongo menos estrellas porque me gustaron los MC y la portada, porque el resto es de dos máximo.
July 11, 2018
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author. The sample was beautiful, so I bought it. Then I realised it was kinda draggy even though it’s fuelled my desire to visit Italy and its beautiful coast. The storyline though....I can’t say it was exciting much. Also, the sentence structures were often times confusing. Had to read them a few times to actually get what the author was saying. Which is such a shame because the descriptions of Italy were wonderful!
July 24, 2019
I couldn't take it anymore ... DNF @ 50%!! I did skim til the end though and let me tell ya the HFN is a really shitty tentative HFN [and holy Batman, the copious amounts of travel-info-dumping was absurd]!
Not impressed at all and this will have been the first and last book I read by this author ... just NOT the author for me in any way, shape, or form!!!
CANNOT recommend :-/!!
Not really a review but I can't bring myself to care enough and write out a thorough, in-depth review of what didn't work for me here! All of it was bad, just all of it ... it was sloppy, lazy, and the ending was careless!! Hard pass, no thank you, next!!
Not impressed at all and this will have been the first and last book I read by this author ... just NOT the author for me in any way, shape, or form!!!
CANNOT recommend :-/!!
Not really a review but I can't bring myself to care enough and write out a thorough, in-depth review of what didn't work for me here! All of it was bad, just all of it ... it was sloppy, lazy, and the ending was careless!! Hard pass, no thank you, next!!
May 20, 2020
3.5 stars
Sebastien has just been surviving the past 3 years since his husband died. He travels to the Amalfi Coast for what would have been his 10th wedding anniversary. His husband was a travel writer, and they had a plan to visit, so Sebastien brings his husband's notes and suggestions for the trip of a lifetime.
Andrea drives Sebastien from the airport to the place he is staying, and since it is a relatively small community, keeps showing up in unexpected places. The more time they spend together, the more Sebastien starts to let go of his plans and just go with the flow, which includes starting a thing with a definite end date with Andrea.
The descriptions of the Amalfi Coast are so vivid and amazing and provide such a strong sense of place. Since Seb has never really dealt with his husband's death, his grief and slow acceptance also felt real. What fell a little short for me in this was the actual story. Outside of the descriptions of the food and area, the writing was a little dry.
Sebastien has just been surviving the past 3 years since his husband died. He travels to the Amalfi Coast for what would have been his 10th wedding anniversary. His husband was a travel writer, and they had a plan to visit, so Sebastien brings his husband's notes and suggestions for the trip of a lifetime.
Andrea drives Sebastien from the airport to the place he is staying, and since it is a relatively small community, keeps showing up in unexpected places. The more time they spend together, the more Sebastien starts to let go of his plans and just go with the flow, which includes starting a thing with a definite end date with Andrea.
The descriptions of the Amalfi Coast are so vivid and amazing and provide such a strong sense of place. Since Seb has never really dealt with his husband's death, his grief and slow acceptance also felt real. What fell a little short for me in this was the actual story. Outside of the descriptions of the food and area, the writing was a little dry.
July 7, 2018
failed to sustain my interest
February 16, 2018
3,5
This is drama and darkness free book. Yes, there are some..kinda.. dramatic moments, but... it's faaaaar from the drama level i'm used to :D. So for me this counts as drama free book :)
For me the best thing in this book was Italy. I mean - all the travel moments were so well written and i could imagine everything. I haven't been in Italy in real life but i was there reading this book. Of course i googled some of the places, to see real pictures :).
The second best thing for me was the idea - this is a story about moving on. It's is hard to explain, but sometimes i feel like in situations like this(when someones husband/wife dies) people around that person expects him/her to grief forever and not ever look at another woman or man(because ''how dare he/she forget the one who died. Such disrespect. He/she probably never really loved the previous partner''.). But the truth is - there is nothing wrong with moving on. Moving on doesn't mean that, in this case, Sebastien didn't love his husband, that he wants to forget him or pretend that their life together didn't happen. No. He loved him and he will remember him forever, but there is a point where you have to start living again, move on, because...as cold as it sounds, you are still alive.
For me the downfall was hot stuff, sex, smut, porn(call it whatever you like). That's very individual, but for me it just didn't work in this book. I was not weird or too kinky. No. I just...didn't like how it was written. Some of the comparisons were just... hmm... (''...Andrea's sculpted pecs and tantalizing treasure trail leading him like a bull to the matador's flag covered sword''... that just doesn't work for me :D). But that's just me, because we all have our own individual taste in erotica.
This is drama and darkness free book. Yes, there are some..kinda.. dramatic moments, but... it's faaaaar from the drama level i'm used to :D. So for me this counts as drama free book :)
For me the best thing in this book was Italy. I mean - all the travel moments were so well written and i could imagine everything. I haven't been in Italy in real life but i was there reading this book. Of course i googled some of the places, to see real pictures :).
The second best thing for me was the idea - this is a story about moving on. It's is hard to explain, but sometimes i feel like in situations like this(when someones husband/wife dies) people around that person expects him/her to grief forever and not ever look at another woman or man(because ''how dare he/she forget the one who died. Such disrespect. He/she probably never really loved the previous partner''.). But the truth is - there is nothing wrong with moving on. Moving on doesn't mean that, in this case, Sebastien didn't love his husband, that he wants to forget him or pretend that their life together didn't happen. No. He loved him and he will remember him forever, but there is a point where you have to start living again, move on, because...as cold as it sounds, you are still alive.
For me the downfall was hot stuff, sex, smut, porn(call it whatever you like). That's very individual, but for me it just didn't work in this book. I was not weird or too kinky. No. I just...didn't like how it was written. Some of the comparisons were just... hmm... (''...Andrea's sculpted pecs and tantalizing treasure trail leading him like a bull to the matador's flag covered sword''... that just doesn't work for me :D). But that's just me, because we all have our own individual taste in erotica.
February 7, 2018
A truly enchanting and magical story. A story about finding yourself after a devastating loss. With her descriptive writing style, this author paints a lovely picture of the characters and the place the story is set in. I have been to Italy, although not to Amalfi, but it came all back to life before my eyes. The sceneries, landscapes, buildings, people are just as I remembered and pictured them. No wonder, that this author chose to write her story in these surroundings. It is a love story in itself.
And then there is the romance between Seb and Andrea. They are endearing characters. Seb, who has lost husband three years ago, is revisiting all the places Henry went to for his job for a travel guide. Seeing the places Henry loved, gives Seb the peace of mind and acceptance he needed. With every site visited Seb regains a bit of himself. The grief is respectfully treated and beautifully balanced with the first tentative attractions towards Andrea, part-time vet part-time taxi driver. Andrea is a gentle soul with enough sparks to give Seb back his groove. Their romance is a gentle journey, bobbing on the waves until they come crashing back to shore. Home where they both belong. It is just as captivating and fairy tale like as their surroundings.
Three wonderful sassy ladies make up the secondary cast. They are good for some bizarre situations and fun comments and gives this story a lighthearted feeling.
I loved all the movie references. They are spot on.
This is my first novel by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.
And then there is the romance between Seb and Andrea. They are endearing characters. Seb, who has lost husband three years ago, is revisiting all the places Henry went to for his job for a travel guide. Seeing the places Henry loved, gives Seb the peace of mind and acceptance he needed. With every site visited Seb regains a bit of himself. The grief is respectfully treated and beautifully balanced with the first tentative attractions towards Andrea, part-time vet part-time taxi driver. Andrea is a gentle soul with enough sparks to give Seb back his groove. Their romance is a gentle journey, bobbing on the waves until they come crashing back to shore. Home where they both belong. It is just as captivating and fairy tale like as their surroundings.
Three wonderful sassy ladies make up the secondary cast. They are good for some bizarre situations and fun comments and gives this story a lighthearted feeling.
I loved all the movie references. They are spot on.
This is my first novel by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.
February 15, 2018
I love when an author uses descriptive writing so well that I feel like I’m wherever in the world they’ve set the scene for their story. Selina Kray did a great job with this for In Wild Lemon Groves—to the point that I’ve added the Amalfi Coast to my “must visit” bucket list. Now add in main characters that make you feel…and supporting characters that make you smile; what you get is a lovely read that I can guarantee I’ll be re-reading in the future.
In an attempt to finally heal in his grieving for his late husband, Seb travels to the Amalfi Coast, a place his husband had visited and written about, and where they both had planned to travel to together. This story serves as his journey toward living life for himself again, instead of continuing to pine for the past he can no longer get back. His driver Andrea is a lively character, the kind of guy everyone knows and likes. Things between them develop slowly, but build in intensity, particularly in the second half of the book.
The story flows well, and as I mentioned previously the descriptive writing really made it easy for me to feel like I was right there alongside the characters. It’s the kind of book that draws you in and keeps you absorbed in the location and in the characters’ journeys without the need for big action or tons of explicit sex.
A story of grief and healing, as well as learning to live for oneself again, In Wild Lemon Groves was a solid 4-star read for me, and is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
In an attempt to finally heal in his grieving for his late husband, Seb travels to the Amalfi Coast, a place his husband had visited and written about, and where they both had planned to travel to together. This story serves as his journey toward living life for himself again, instead of continuing to pine for the past he can no longer get back. His driver Andrea is a lively character, the kind of guy everyone knows and likes. Things between them develop slowly, but build in intensity, particularly in the second half of the book.
The story flows well, and as I mentioned previously the descriptive writing really made it easy for me to feel like I was right there alongside the characters. It’s the kind of book that draws you in and keeps you absorbed in the location and in the characters’ journeys without the need for big action or tons of explicit sex.
A story of grief and healing, as well as learning to live for oneself again, In Wild Lemon Groves was a solid 4-star read for me, and is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
January 15, 2019
“In Wild Lemon Groves” read like a travel book. A big portion of it detailed interesting spots and dishes in Amalfi and southern Italy, they got me salivating to sample some of the delights: granita al limone, sfogliatelle, torta caprese, zepolle... Oh, I could go on and on listing down the names alone. For me, the array of scrumptious and delectable more than made up for my struggle with the author’s writing style. It wasn’t a total fail, but it was a strain for me to follow and understand some of parables in the conversation. It could be this book being my first Selina Kray’s read and thus new style to get familiar with.
Telling the journey of Sébastien Osaki, a Japanese/French-descent Canadian to rediscover himself three years after his husband passing, “In Wild Lemon Groves” started out in blue chords that gradually metamorphosed into brighter tunes. His friendship with Andrea Sorrentino, a local with charming smile and big heart helped Seb found his bearing tremendously. While their romance were expected, personally I felt the chemistry Seb and Andrea not convincing enough. It could be because as the book is told in Seb’s POV, readers only get one sided dimension of the story and so zero insight to what Andrea felt and thought.
Nonetheless, it was an interesting journey for the men to their happy beginning, amidst what felt like mild travel guide. As the introduction to Kray’s writings, to me it certainly brought different style that I’m not totally opposed to.
Copy of this book is given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Telling the journey of Sébastien Osaki, a Japanese/French-descent Canadian to rediscover himself three years after his husband passing, “In Wild Lemon Groves” started out in blue chords that gradually metamorphosed into brighter tunes. His friendship with Andrea Sorrentino, a local with charming smile and big heart helped Seb found his bearing tremendously. While their romance were expected, personally I felt the chemistry Seb and Andrea not convincing enough. It could be because as the book is told in Seb’s POV, readers only get one sided dimension of the story and so zero insight to what Andrea felt and thought.
Nonetheless, it was an interesting journey for the men to their happy beginning, amidst what felt like mild travel guide. As the introduction to Kray’s writings, to me it certainly brought different style that I’m not totally opposed to.
Copy of this book is given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-cTW
From that review: "Sometimes a story just resonates with you and In Wild Lemon Groves by Selina Kray did just that with me. From the location to the characters everything about this book is staying with me, taking me back to places, scenes, and people. Reading this story became an almost visceral experience, my mouth watering through meals of local seafood, pasta, bread, and the ever present Granita al limone, my muscles ache in memory of the tortuous climbs up and down ancient steep stairways Seb walks worthy of mountain goats, and my mind and heart are envious of the sea, night stars and view that Amalfi affords the fortunate that visit and live there."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-cTW
From that review: "Sometimes a story just resonates with you and In Wild Lemon Groves by Selina Kray did just that with me. From the location to the characters everything about this book is staying with me, taking me back to places, scenes, and people. Reading this story became an almost visceral experience, my mouth watering through meals of local seafood, pasta, bread, and the ever present Granita al limone, my muscles ache in memory of the tortuous climbs up and down ancient steep stairways Seb walks worthy of mountain goats, and my mind and heart are envious of the sea, night stars and view that Amalfi affords the fortunate that visit and live there."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
February 23, 2021
Selina Kray is a new author for me and I was really intrigued to read this thanks to the cover art and blurb. It's such a lovely cover and title but the story behind the story is quite sad. Seb is trying to heal and recover from his husband, Henry's, death a few years ago. Henry was a travel writer and left Seb a journal of places that he wanted them to visit for their anniversary in Amalfi. Seb meets a well-cast group of fellow travelers as well a complex, attractive, and intriguing cab driver, Andrea, who he discovers is more than what he appears to be. Both men aren't looking for love, but along the way, they discover something in places they weren't expecting. Lovely story of healing, loss, love, traveling, and the power of words. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of Seb and Henry's story within the journal left behind. I'm so pleased that I discovered this author and look forward to reading more of her books :)
February 4, 2018
I had the pleasure of visiting Amalfi and the nearby villages once, many years ago. So when I heard of this book, I was delighted and interested but also reserved, would this be a product of the author’s imagination or read too much like a travel journal?
Happy to say, neither.
The postscript explains the author visited Amalfi herself and the visit inspired the story. It shines through in every word of the book, I was transported back to the sounds, sights and smells of that magical place.
And the love story you find with the pages? Wonderful. I loved particularly how Seb’s being a widower wasn’t neither glossed over or over-dramatised, Henry makes for an integral part in Seb and Andrea’s romance and they’re all better for it.
Absolutely enchanting, magical and wonderful love story.
Happy to say, neither.
The postscript explains the author visited Amalfi herself and the visit inspired the story. It shines through in every word of the book, I was transported back to the sounds, sights and smells of that magical place.
And the love story you find with the pages? Wonderful. I loved particularly how Seb’s being a widower wasn’t neither glossed over or over-dramatised, Henry makes for an integral part in Seb and Andrea’s romance and they’re all better for it.
Absolutely enchanting, magical and wonderful love story.
March 31, 2018
4 stars
Amalfi is the real main character in this book. The beautifully vivid descriptions of the city and the surrounding areas had me enchanted and ready to book the next flight out of my currently cold and snowy home. But far from reading like a travel brochure, there is an utterly romantic story at play here that will warm the coldest hearts. None of it is even remotely plausible but I loved it nevertheless. The only thing missing was an epilogue. Vacation romances are notoriously short-lived and without a ‘one year later’ epilogue to see how our happy couple is faring, I would say this ends on an tenuous HFN at best. Still, it’s an enchanting escapist romance that’s definitely worth reading.
Amalfi is the real main character in this book. The beautifully vivid descriptions of the city and the surrounding areas had me enchanted and ready to book the next flight out of my currently cold and snowy home. But far from reading like a travel brochure, there is an utterly romantic story at play here that will warm the coldest hearts. None of it is even remotely plausible but I loved it nevertheless. The only thing missing was an epilogue. Vacation romances are notoriously short-lived and without a ‘one year later’ epilogue to see how our happy couple is faring, I would say this ends on an tenuous HFN at best. Still, it’s an enchanting escapist romance that’s definitely worth reading.
May 2, 2018
Vacation romance between Canadian widower and his Italian driver (and so much more, but I won't spoil) has some CMBYN vibes (because summer in Italy, duh, I state the most obvious things). The reading is light, mostly I enjoyed Italian views and atmosphere, author was brilliant with all this stuff. The ending was a little bit rushed and anticlimatic for me. But oh - the landscapes.
March 7, 2018
4,5 heart review by Louisa
The cover wasn’t the first thing that drew me towards, In Wild Lemon Groves, because that was the blurb, but once I saw the cover I was eager to read this beautiful story. Loss and heartache is one of the most experienced human emotions and Sebastien Osaki has felt it. But as humans we have the ability to recover and move past our loss, without forgetting the ones we love but had to leave us. This journey spoke to me.
Henry is Seb’s husband who passed away. A travel writer who doesn’t overtake the story, but who travels along with us in Seb’s heart. You can feel him there, but he doesn’t overtake the book with sadness.
Andrea Sorrentino is full of joy and life. He is a beautiful character that draws you into his landscape. The two men together made me so happy as I read In Wild Lemon Groves. The Amalfi Coast is right there on the page for you to enjoy. I can only presume that it is a place the author loves because the scenery is spectacular, and I could see it laying before me in my mind. The ocean, the coast the people. It was all described to a T.
The secondary characters where bright and fun. They took Seb under their wing and gave him love, support and encouragement. You have to love some wonderful sister/friends who see a person in need and just can’t help themselves.
This was my first Selina Kray book, but I doubt it will be the last. A beautiful book that is absolutely worth reading. I am sure you will fall in love too!
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
The cover wasn’t the first thing that drew me towards, In Wild Lemon Groves, because that was the blurb, but once I saw the cover I was eager to read this beautiful story. Loss and heartache is one of the most experienced human emotions and Sebastien Osaki has felt it. But as humans we have the ability to recover and move past our loss, without forgetting the ones we love but had to leave us. This journey spoke to me.
Henry is Seb’s husband who passed away. A travel writer who doesn’t overtake the story, but who travels along with us in Seb’s heart. You can feel him there, but he doesn’t overtake the book with sadness.
Andrea Sorrentino is full of joy and life. He is a beautiful character that draws you into his landscape. The two men together made me so happy as I read In Wild Lemon Groves. The Amalfi Coast is right there on the page for you to enjoy. I can only presume that it is a place the author loves because the scenery is spectacular, and I could see it laying before me in my mind. The ocean, the coast the people. It was all described to a T.
The secondary characters where bright and fun. They took Seb under their wing and gave him love, support and encouragement. You have to love some wonderful sister/friends who see a person in need and just can’t help themselves.
This was my first Selina Kray book, but I doubt it will be the last. A beautiful book that is absolutely worth reading. I am sure you will fall in love too!
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
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